This curriculum provides four lessons for each grade level, K-5 to address Iowa's financial literacy content standards. Most lessons use storybooks as the main activity, supplemented by activities to extend learning and to initiate discussions at home.

This workbook discusses financial basics, insurance, investing, retirement planning, and planning for life events. This practical, clearly written guidebook is the work of two certified financial planners and educators at Rutgers University.

Justin Van Hof's route to become a farmer was nontraditional. He graduated from college, worked in his father's business and was employed in other professions, yet always returned to farming. It took 16 years, yet Justin has found his niche as a farmer working as a salaried manager for a large diversified farming operation.

This case study highlights the transition planning process and timeline, tools used, lessons learned, and the Van Hof's advice for other individuals considering a career in farming. Questions about employee status and career opportunities are included for family or classroom discussions.

The Loomis family from northern Iowa has recently completed a successful family farm business transition to the next generation. The transition of their row crop and swine farm spanned the first 22 years of the younger generation's farming career, was well planned and implemented gradually.

This case study highlights the transition planning process and timeline, tools used, the older generation's estate plan, lessons learned, and the Loomis's advice for other farm families considering a farm business transition. Questions about the family's current situation and possible future of the farm are included for family or classroom discussions.

Social Security has numerous options regarding when to file for retirement benefits that have very different consequences for a lifelong retirement income. Use the information in this publication to start considering social security options during the transition to retirement.

The loss of a job can be devastating. Taking charge in those circumstances means taking stock of your resources to survive the immediate situation and bring about a positive future. To cope with unemployment or sudden income loss, you can do specific things to help manage until you find another position or until business picks up.

Many farm families find it difficult to know how much to spend each month for family living needs. Income may be both irregular and unpredictable and there are important differences in managing farm family finances versus nonfarm family finances.

There is more than one approach to arranging your financial resources for retirement, each with advantages and disadvantages. Learn more about income strategies to ensure a smooth financial transition into retirement.

Tax-advantaged options for retirement saving and investing are designed to help people accumulate resources that will support them during retirement. Learn more about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), how they affect retiree finances, and how to avoid penalty.

Annuities can play a valuable role in structuring your retirement income, but they are fairly complex products and may come with high fees. Learn more about the types of annuities and pros and cons of each. Use the consumer worksheet to evaluate your income annuity options before making a purchase decision.

When you consider your ideal retirement, cost is a factor. This publication covers the basics of financial planning, including the value of starting early, contributing often, and finding investments that are right for you.

Reduce stress and manage your resources by making six types of decisions: setting priorities, dealing with unexpected events, assessing resources, planning, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the outcomes.

A tax refund is always a welcome bonus. No matter the amount, the way you use that money can have a real impact on your personal and financial well-being. Before you spend, stop and think. Making the smart choice today will lead to a firmer financial foundation tomorrow.

Find the information you need to sell food products from your home. Includes Iowa licensing and inspection requirements. Also includes contact information for additional help. Full color, 4 page brochure.

Would someone else be able to find essential information if you were away or ill?

Learn how to keep tabs on the many parts of your personal and financial matters with the forms presented in this electronic 65-page workbook. Download/ print the workbook and record essential financial and family information, lists of financial accounts, insurance policies and credit cards; names of professional advisers; health and employment records; location of important documents; and more...

Fuels, including electricity, used directly in processing and production on the farm are exempt from Iowa state sales tax. To receive this exemption, a farmer must provide adequate documentation. This publication provides information, worksheets, and a sales tax exemption certificate to aid farmers.

An online course to help first-time homebuyers learn about the process of buying a home.

The course is available anytime, anywhere from any computer with Internet access.

At the end of five lessons, there’s a certification exam. When you pass the exam you receive a homebuyer’s certificate which you may take to a local lender. Computers at public libraries, ISU Extension county offices across the state or USDA offices are options if you don't own a computer.

This online course will help you:
• decide if now is a good time to buy a home
• prepare for the home buying process and
• shop for a mortgage that works for you.

Twenty similarities between personal health and wealth issues are described and common obstacles to change are reviewed. Then twenty-five strategies to change behavior for improved health and increased wealth are described. Fourty-four worksheets and sixteen information-packed tables help the reader adapt these strategies to their situation. Health and wealth benchmarks are included to help define health and wealth goals. Includes extensive lists of reference and web-based resources.

A spending plan is a tool to manage your money. Making a spending plan involves setting long- and short-term goals, analyzing what income you have available to meet those goals, developing a plan, and putting the plan into action. Includes helpful worksheets.

Farmers need to consider some unique situations regardng retirement. Read about setting retirement goals and estimating cost of living and income in retirement. Two worksheets are provided to help the process. Also discussed -- what will happen to the farm business.

It is in the best interests of both generations that the farm transfer be accomplished with a minimum of financial and emotional cost. This publication explores the many options available and how all parties’ needs can be met.

In general, there are five major alternatives available to retiring farmers who have no heirs interested in taking over the farm operation. The alternative chosen depends primarily on the amount of leisure time desired and the amount of work the retiring farmer wants to do.

As farmland values and stock markets can be unstable, having all of a family’s investments in one venture is risky. This pamphlet presents issues in investment considerations before retirement and at retirement.